Gravity chamber that rotates on support bearings mounted on an inner surface of a hull of a habitation module

ABSTRACT

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an outer cylindrical wall and opposing side walls. The gravity chamber attaches to a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an outer race attached to an inner surface of the hull, and an inner race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the inner race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of habitation modules that provideartificial gravity environments.

BACKGROUND

When humans occupy a space station, they encounter a zero-gravityenvironment or “weightless” environment. Extended exposure to azero-gravity environment can be detrimental to the health of the humanoccupants, such as muscle and bone degeneration. To avoid theselong-term health effects, artificial gravity environments may beinstalled in the space station. One way to create artificial gravity iswith centrifugal force, where a vessel rotates at a speed that drives ahuman occupant inside of the vessel toward the outer hull of the vessel.The force on the human occupant feels like a gravitational pull.

Because of the health benefits and comfort of artificial gravity, it isdesirable to design improved artificial gravity environments for spacehabitats/vehicles.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein include a habitation module for a spacestation or the like that includes a gravity chamber for human occupancy.The gravity chamber is cylindrical with an outer cylindrical wall andopposing side walls. The gravity chamber attaches to an inner surface ofthe hull of the habitation module via support bearings. Each supportbearing includes an outer race attached to the hull, and an inner raceattached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism rotates the gravitychamber on the support bearings about an axis to simulate agravitational force within the gravity chamber. Artificial gravity istherefore created within the gravity chamber.

In one embodiment, the drive mechanism directly drives one or both ofthe support bearings. For instance, the inner race of a support bearingmay include teeth that mesh with a drive gear of the drive mechanism.Therefore, the drive mechanism is able to directly drive the gravitychamber (i.e., rotate the gravity chamber about the axis) without directcontact with a wall of the gravity chamber. Thus, the drive mechanismwill create very little noise within the gravity chamber.

A gravity chamber as described herein may be used as a walking, jogging,or running track, where crew members are able to exercise in anartificial gravity environment. An exercise track with artificialgravity is an improvement over treadmills and the like that arepresently used in zero-gravity environments. Also, exercise inartificial gravity as compared to zero-gravity provides health benefitsfor the crew members, such as reduced muscle and bone degeneration.

A gravity chamber may be used for or reconfigured into resting areas,such as a restroom, bedroom, office, etc. Using a gravity chamber inthis manner has benefits for the crew members, such as sleeping in ahorizontal position, sitting in normal postures for work, etc.

One embodiment comprises a habitation module comprising a hull thatdefines an outer diameter of the habitation module. The habitationmodule further includes a gravity chamber that includes an outercylindrical wall and opposing side walls that connect to the outercylindrical wall. The habitation module further includes first supportbearings for attaching the gravity chamber to the hull of the habitationmodule, wherein each of the first support bearings includes an outerrace attached to an inner surface of the hull, and an inner raceattached to the gravity chamber. The habitation module further includesa first drive mechanism that drives the inner race of at least one ofthe first support bearings to rotate the gravity chamber in a firstdirection about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within thegravity chamber.

In another embodiment, the first support bearings comprise a pair ofsupport bearings spaced axially along the inner surface of the hull, andattached to opposing sides of the gravity chamber.

In another embodiment, the habitation module further includes acylindrical counter-weight member that rotates about the axis in anopposite direction than the gravity chamber.

In another embodiment, the cylindrical counter-weight member comprises acounter-weight and second support bearings for attaching thecounter-weight to the hull. Each of the second support bearings includesan outer race attached to the inner surface of the hull, and an innerrace attached to the counter-weight.

In another embodiment, the habitation module further includes a seconddrive mechanism that drives the inner race of at least one of the secondsupport bearings to rotate the counter-weight in a second directionabout the axis that is opposite than the first direction.

In another embodiment, a first one of the first support bearingsincludes teeth on the inner race. The first drive mechanism includes adrive gear having teeth that mesh with the teeth on the inner race ofthe first one of the first support bearings. The first drive mechanismis configured to spin the drive gear to impart rotational movement tothe inner race of the first one of the first support bearings.

In another embodiment, the gravity chamber is hollow between the outercylindrical wall and the side walls, and an inner surface of the outercylindrical wall is lined with a material for an exercise track.

In another embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an inner cylindricalwall, where the side walls extend between the inner cylindrical wall andthe outer cylindrical wall. The gravity chamber includes a plurality ofpartitions that extend radially from the inner cylindrical wall to theouter cylindrical wall to define compartments within the gravitychamber. The compartments may be for a restroom facility, a sleepingfacility, etc.

In another embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an inner cylindricalwall, where the side walls extend between the inner cylindrical wall andthe outer cylindrical wall. The gravity chamber includes a dividerorthogonal to the axis that divides the gravity chamber into a firstannular sub-chamber and a second annular sub-chamber. The first annularsub-chamber is hollow between the inner cylindrical wall, the outercylindrical wall, and the side walls for an exercise track. The secondannular sub-chamber includes a plurality of partitions that extendradially from the inner cylindrical wall to the outer cylindrical wallbetween the side walls to define compartments within the second annularsub-chamber.

In another embodiment, the side walls include support members thatconnect to the outer cylindrical wall and provide rigidity to the sidewalls. The support members include spring dampeners.

Another embodiment comprises a habitation module that includes a hullthat defines an outer diameter of the habitation module. The habitationmodule further includes a first gravity chamber that includes a firstouter cylindrical wall and first opposing side walls, and a secondgravity chamber that includes a second outer cylindrical wall and secondopposing side walls. The habitation module further includes firstsupport bearings for attaching the first gravity chamber to the hull ofthe habitation module. Each of the first support bearings includes afirst outer race attached to an inner surface of the hull, and a firstinner race attached to the first gravity chamber. The habitation modulefurther includes second support bearings for attaching the secondgravity chamber to the hull. Each of the second support bearingsincludes a second outer race attached to the inner surface of the hull,and a second inner race attached to the second gravity chamber. Thehabitation module further includes at least one drive mechanism thatrotates the first gravity chamber on the first support bearings in afirst direction about an axis, and rotates the second gravity chamber onthe second support bearings in a second direction about the axis that isopposite than the first direction.

Another embodiment comprises a habitation module having a hull thatdefines an outer diameter of the habitation module. The habitationmodule further includes an annular gravity chamber that includes anouter cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical wall, and opposing sidewalls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindricalwall. The habitation module further includes first support bearings forattaching the gravity chamber to the hull. Each of the first supportbearings includes a first outer race attached to an inner surface of thehull, and a first inner race attached to the gravity chamber. Thehabitation module further includes a first drive mechanism that drivesthe first inner race of at least one of the first support bearings torotate the gravity chamber in a first direction about an axis tosimulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber. Thehabitation module further includes a counter-weight and second supportbearings for attaching the counter-weight to the hull. Each of thesecond support bearings includes a second outer race attached to theinner surface of the hull, and a second inner race attached to thecounter-weight. The habitation module further includes a second drivemechanism that drives the second inner race of at least one of thesecond support bearings to rotate the counter-weight in a seconddirection about the axis that is opposite than the first direction.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yetother embodiments, further details of which can be seen with referenceto the following description and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The samereference number represents the same element or the same type of elementon all drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a habitation module in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a gravity chamber of a habitation module in anexemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate support bearings in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a gravity chamber attached to a hull of a habitationmodule with support bearings in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates attachment of a gravity chamber to a hull of ahabitation module in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a counter-weight member attached to a hull of ahabitation module with support bearings in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates attachment of a gravity chamber and a counter-weightmember to a hull of a habitation module in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a pair of gravity chambers rotating in opposition inan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a gravity chamber in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an interior of a gravity chamber in an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an interior of a gravity chamber in an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a gravity chamber split into two or more annularsub-chambers in an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplaryembodiments. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art willbe able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitlydescribed or shown herein, embody the principles described herein andare included within the contemplated scope of the claims that followthis description. Furthermore, any examples described herein areintended to aid in understanding the principles of the disclosure, andare to be construed as being without limitation. As a result, thisdisclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments or examplesdescribed below, but by the claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a habitation module 100 in an exemplary embodiment.Habitation module (HAB) 100 is a module used for living quarters forcrew members of a space station, such as the International SpaceStation. For example, HAB 100 may be used for sleeping quarters,restroom facilities, medical facilities, exercise facilities, etc. HAB100 is configured for space vehicles in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) or BeyondLow-Earth Orbit (BLEO).

HAB 100 is illustrated as a cylindrical capsule with a hull 102 thatencapsulates the modules and systems of HAB 100. Hull 102 is the rigidouter body or fuselage of HAB 100 that defines its outer diameter, whichmay be about 8.4 meters. The outer diameter of HAB 100 may be limited bythe size of the launch vehicle used to transport HAB 100 into space. Forexample, a Space Launch System (SLS) from NASA may be used to transportHAB 100 into space, and the outer diameter of HAB 100 may be constrainedby the size of the SLS. Although not shown in FIG. 1, at least a portionof the interior of hull 102 may be pressurized and supplied with oxygen.Either (or both) of the ends 104-105 of hull 102 may be attached toother modules of a space station.

In order to provide an artificial gravity environment for the crewmembers, HAB 100 is equipped with one or more gravity chambers 110 thatrotate about an axis 130. Gravity chamber 110 rotates at a speed tocreate an artificial gravity environment by simulating gravitationalforces. For example, gravity chamber 110 may rotate at 8 rpm, 10 rpm, 12rpm, etc., to create an artificial gravity environment. Gravity chamber110 attaches to an inner (or interior) surface 114 of hull 102 byattachment members 112, which allow gravity chamber 110 to rotate inrelation to hull 102. As will be described in more detail below, HAB 100may further include a counter-weight member 150 that rotates in theopposite direction as gravity chamber 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates gravity chamber 110 of HAB 100 in an exemplaryembodiment. Gravity chamber 110 may be annular or ring-shaped as shownin FIG. 2, with an outer cylindrical wall 210 that defines the outerdiameter of gravity chamber 110, an inner cylindrical wall 212 thatdefines an inner diameter of gravity chamber 110, and opposing sidewalls 214-215. Outer cylindrical wall 210 is the outermost cylindricalsurface of gravity chamber 110. Outer cylindrical wall 210 may be madefrom a thin metal, a composite material, a plastic, or another type ofrigid material. Inner cylindrical wall 212 may represent the innermostcylindrical surface of gravity chamber 110. Inner cylindrical wall 212may be made from a material, such as a thin metal, a composite material,a plastic, or another type of rigid material, or may be made from a softmaterial, such as Kevlar®, canvas, or another type of fabric.

Side walls 214-215 may act to enclose the space between the outer andinner walls 210, 212. Side walls 214-215 may each include a plurality ofsupport members 230 that extend between outer cylindrical wall 210 andinner cylindrical wall 212. Support members 230 provide a rigid framefor side walls 214-215. Support members 230 may be made from aluminum, acomposite material, or another type of material. For example, supportmembers 230 may comprise 1 inch aluminum tubes with 0.049 inch walls.Support members 230 may extend radially from inner cylindrical wall 212to outer cylindrical wall 210 as illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be angledin relation to the radial direction if desired. The number and placementof support members 230 is just an example, and may vary as desired. Sidewalls 214-215 may also include side closures 236 that enclose the areabetween support members 230. Side closures 236 may be made from a softmaterial, such as Kevlar®, canvas, or another type of fabric. One ormore entry openings 238 may be formed in side closures 236 to allow crewmembers to access the inside of gravity chamber 110. Entry openings 238have a size large enough for a crew member to pass through, and mayinclude a door and a mechanism for opening and closing the door, such asa latch, a zipper, etc.

The structure of gravity chamber 110 in FIG. 2 is just an example. Inother embodiments, gravity chamber 110 may include outer cylindricalwall 210 and side walls 214-215 (with no inner cylindrical wall 212).

Gravity chamber 110 attaches to inner surface 114 of hull 102 withattachment members 112, which may comprise support bearings. FIGS. 3A-3Billustrate support bearings 302-303 for gravity chamber 110 in anexemplary embodiment. Support bearings 302-303 are configured to attachgravity chamber 110 to hull 102 so that gravity chamber 110 is able torotate in relation to hull 102 about axis 130. Support bearing 302includes an inner race (or ring) 310, an outer race (or ring) 311, and arolling element between inner race 310 and outer race 311 that enablesrotational movement (not visible in FIG. 3A). The rolling element maycomprise ball bearings, cylindrical rollers, or the like. Outer race 311is configured to attach to hull 102, while inner race 310 is configuredto attach to gravity chamber 110. Support bearing 302 also includes aplurality of teeth 314 on inner race 310 for meshing with a drive gearof a drive mechanism. Support bearing 303 (see FIG. 3B) has a similarstructure as support bearing 302 with an inner race 320 and an outerrace 321, except that its inner race 320 does not include teeth.

FIG. 4 illustrates gravity chamber 110 attached to hull 102 with supportbearings 302-303 in an exemplary embodiment. Support bearings 302-303are spaced axially along and attach to hull 102. The use and placementof support bearings 302-303 as shown in FIG. 4 is just an example andmay vary as desired. For example, two support bearings 302 with teeth314 may be used in one application. In another example, more than twosupport bearings 302-303 may be used.

Hull 102 includes mounting members 402 that protrude from inner surface114 of hull 102. Mounting members 402 may comprise a ring that extendsaround the inner surface 114 of hull 102, or may comprise a plurality ofindividual members that are affixed around the inner surface 114 of hull102. Support bearings 302-303 attach to mounting members 402, and alsoattach to gravity chamber 110.

FIG. 5 illustrates attachment of gravity chamber 110 to hull 102 in anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-section along line 5-5 of FIG. 4showing attachment points of support bearings 302-303 to gravity chamber110 (only a portion of gravity chamber 110 is shown in FIG. 5). On theleft-hand side of gravity chamber 110, inner race 310 of support bearing302 attaches to gravity chamber 110 with an attachment member 502, suchas a bolt, screw, pin, etc. Inner race 310 may attach to outercylindrical wall 212 or a side wall 214-215 of gravity chamber 110.Outer race 311 of support bearing 302 attaches to mounting member 402with an attachment member 502. Bushings 504 (e.g., rubber bushings) maybe used at the attachment point for outer race 311 and inner race 310 toabsorb noise and/or vibration at the attachment point. Also shown inFIG. 5 is a rolling element 510 between inner race 310 and outer race311 that enables rotational movement. Rolling element 510 may compriseball bearings, cylindrical rollers, or the like.

A drive mechanism 520 is placed proximate or adjacent to inner race 310of support bearing 302 to directly drive support bearing 302. Drivemechanism 520 is configured to spin a drive gear 522 to impartrotational movement to inner race 310. Teeth 524 on drive gear 522 meshwith teeth 314 on inner race 310 (see FIG. 3). When drive mechanism 520turns drive gear 522, it imparts rotational movement on gravity chamber110 about axis 130 (see FIG. 1). Drive mechanism 520 may comprise anelectric motor, a hydraulic motor, a pneumatic motor, or any otheractuating device that has a variable rotational speed.

On the right-hand side of gravity chamber 110, inner race 320 of supportbearing 303 attaches to gravity chamber 110 with an attachment member502. Outer race 321 of support bearing 303 attaches to mounting member402 with an attachment member 502. Bushings 504 may be used at theattachment point for outer race 321 and inner race 320 to absorb noiseand/or vibration at the attachment point.

As shown in FIG. 5, support bearing 302 (with teeth 314) is installed onone side of gravity chamber 110, and support bearing 303 (without teeth314) is installed on the other side of gravity chamber 110. In anotherembodiment, support bearing 302 (with teeth 314) may be installed oneither side or both sides of gravity chamber 110. If support bearing 302is installed on both sides, a drive mechanism will be installed on bothsides of gravity chamber 110 to drive the inner race 310 of supportbearing 302 from each side of gravity chamber 110.

The rotation of gravity chamber 110 about axis 130 creates a centrifugalforce on objects (e.g., crew members) inside of gravity chamber 110 thatpulls the objects towards outer cylindrical wall 210. The centrifugalforce feels like gravity to a crew member inside of gravity chamber 110.Because gravity chamber 110 is attached to hull 102 through supportbearings 302-303, gravity chamber 110 will rotate very smoothly. Also,drive mechanism 520 drives support bearing 302 and does not directlycontact the walls of gravity chamber 110, which results in minimal noisefrom drive mechanism 520.

The rotation of gravity chamber 110 may also create an unwanted momentumfor HAB 100. To cancel out the unwanted momentum, cylindricalcounter-weight member 150 (see FIG. 1) may be installed on hull 102 torotate about axis 130 in an opposite direction than gravity chamber 110.The structure of counter-weight member 150 may vary as desired. In oneembodiment, a counter-weight may be installed on support bearings asdescribed below.

FIG. 6 illustrates counter-weight member 150 attached to hull 102 withsupport bearings in an exemplary embodiment. Counter-weight member 150includes a counter-weight 620 attached to hull 102 with support bearings302-303. Counter-weight 620 comprises any mass that is able to berotated. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, counter-weight 620 is a ringhaving a diameter less than the diameter of hull 102. Counter-weight 620does not have to be a continuous structure as shown in FIG. 6, but maybe segmented. Counter-weight 620 is driven to rotate in the oppositedirection of gravity chamber 110 to negate momentum created by rotationof gravity chamber 110. Momentum is measured in mass multiplied byvelocity (rotational). If it is assumed that the mass of counter-weight620 is fixed, the counter-weight 620 is driven at a speed to compensatefor the momentum created by rotation of gravity chamber 110. If the massof gravity chamber 110 changes (e.g., a crew member enters gravitychamber 110), then the rotational speed of counter-weight 620 may beadjusted to compensate for the change in mass. The rotational speed ofcounter-weight 620 is therefore adjusted so that there is a net-zeromomentum change due to rotation of gravity chamber 110.

FIG. 7 illustrates attachment of gravity chamber 110 and counter-weightmember 150 to hull 102 in an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7 is across-section along line 7-7 of FIG. 6. The attachment of gravitychamber 110 was described in relation to FIG. 5. On the left-hand sideof counter-weight member 150, inner race 320 of support bearing 303attaches to counter-weight 620 with an attachment member 502. Outer race321 of support bearing 303 attaches to mounting member 402 with anattachment member 502. Bushings 504 may be used at the attachment pointfor outer race 321 and inner race 320 to absorb noise and/or vibrationat the attachment point.

On the right-hand side of counter-weight member 150, inner race 310 ofsupport bearing 302 attaches to counter-weight 620 with an attachmentmember 502. Outer race 311 of support bearing 302 attaches to mountingmember 402 with an attachment member 502. Bushings 504 may be used atthe attachment point for outer race 311 and inner race 310 to absorbnoise and/or vibration at the attachment point. A drive mechanism 720 isplaced proximate or adjacent to inner race 310 of support bearing 302 todirectly drive the support bearing 302 for counter-weight 620. Drivemechanism 720 is configured to spin a drive gear 722 to impartrotational movement to inner race 310. Teeth 724 on drive gear 722 meshwith teeth 314 on inner race 310 (see FIG. 3A). When drive mechanism 720turns drive gear 522, it imparts rotational movement on counter-weight620 about axis 130 (see FIG. 1). Drive mechanism 720 drivescounter-weight 620 in an opposite direction as gravity chamber 110, andis able to adjust the speed of rotation of counter-weight to cancel anymomentum created by rotation of gravity chamber 110.

In another embodiment, counter-weight member 150 as shown in FIG. 1 maycomprise a second gravity chamber that rotates in an opposite directionas gravity chamber 110. FIG. 8 illustrates a pair of gravity chambersrotating in opposition in an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment,HAB 100 includes gravity chamber 110 as described above, and includes asecond gravity chamber 810. The structure of gravity chamber 810 may bethe same or similar as that described above, and may attach to hull 102in a similar manner through support bearings. For example, gravitychamber 810 may attach to hull 102 in a similar manner as shown in FIG.5 with support bearings 302-303, and a drive mechanism 520 (a shared orindependent drive mechanism). Gravity chamber 810 is driven to rotate ina direction opposite of gravity chamber 110. Therefore, gravity chamber810 may be used to cancel any momentum created from rotation of gravitychamber 110 (or vice-versa). The corresponding drive mechanisms forgravity chambers 110 and 810 are able to adjust the speed of rotation ofgravity chambers 110 and 810 to create a net-zero momentum change on HAB100. If independent drive mechanisms are used for gravity chambers 110and 810, then the speed of the drive mechanism may be independentlycontrolled. If a shared drive mechanism is used, then a gear box may beused to control the speed of gravity chambers 110 and 810 independently.

FIG. 9 is a side view of gravity chamber 110 in an exemplary embodiment.The view in FIG. 9 is of side wall 215. In this embodiment, supportmembers 230 include spring dampeners 904 that are configured to dampennoise and vibration effects of activities inside of gravity chamber 110,such as exercise activities.

FIG. 10 illustrates an interior of gravity chamber 110 in an exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-section along line 10-10 of FIG. 9. Inthis embodiment, gravity chamber 110 is used for exercise activities,and therefore, may be referred to as an exercise chamber. Its interioris hollow or empty between inner cylindrical structure 212, outercylindrical wall 210, and side walls 214-215 so that a crew member 1004is able to walk, jog, or run within gravity chamber 110. An innersurface 1002 of outer cylindrical wall 210 may be lined with a syntheticrubber material or similar type of material for an exercise track. Thus,crew member 1004 walks, jogs, or runs on inner surface 1002 as gravitychamber 110 rotates to create an artificial gravity environment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an interior of gravity chamber 110 in anotherexemplary embodiment. FIG. 11 is also a cross-section along line 10-10of FIG. 9. In this embodiment, gravity chamber 110 is compartmentalizedinto individual rooms. As the rooms of gravity chamber 110 may be usedfor rest and other activities, gravity chamber 110 may be referred to asa Rest and Activities (RAC) chamber in this embodiment. Gravity chamber110 includes a plurality of partitions 1102 that extend radially frominner cylindrical wall 212 to outer cylindrical wall 210 to define thecompartments 1104 within gravity chamber 110. Partitions 1102 may extendfully from inner cylindrical wall 212 to outer cylindrical wall 210, andfrom side wall 214 to side wall 215 to completely enclose compartments1104 for privacy. Compartments 1104 may be used for a variety ofpurposes, such as restroom facilities 1109 having a shower 1110, atoilet 1112, and a sink 1114. A compartment 1104 may be used for officefacilities 1120 having a desk 1122, chairs, cabinets, etc. A compartment1104 may be used for lounge facilities 1124 having chairs 1126, a couch,etc. A compartment 1104 may also be used for sleeping facilities 1128having a bed 1130.

FIG. 12 illustrates gravity chamber 110 split into two or more annularsub-chambers in an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 12, gravity chamber 110includes a divider 1202 that is orthogonal to axis 130, and dividesgravity chamber 110 into annular sub-chambers 1210-1211. Sub-chamber1210 is an exercise chamber such as shown in FIG. 10, and therefore, ishollow between inner cylindrical structure 212 and outer cylindricalwall 210. Sub-chamber 1211 is a RAC chamber, and includes a plurality ofpartitions that extend radially from inner cylindrical structure 212 toouter cylindrical wall 210 to define compartments within annular section1211, such as shown in FIG. 11. Crew members are able to pass throughdivider 1202, such as through access openings, so that they can movefreely between the RAC chamber and the exercise chamber.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope is notlimited to those specific embodiments. Rather, the scope is defined bythe following claims and any equivalents thereof.

1. A habitation module comprising: a hull that defines an outer diameterof the habitation module; a gravity chamber that includes: an outercylindrical wall; and opposing side walls that connect to the outercylindrical wall; first support bearings for attaching the gravitychamber to the hull of the habitation module, wherein each of the firstsupport bearings includes an outer race attached to an inner surface ofthe hull, and an inner race attached to the gravity chamber; and a firstdrive mechanism that drives the inner race of at least one of the firstsupport bearings to rotate the gravity chamber in a first directionabout an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravitychamber.
 2. The habitation module of claim 1 wherein the first supportbearings comprise: a pair of support bearings spaced axially along theinner surface of the hull, and attached to opposing sides of the gravitychamber.
 3. The habitation module of claim 1 further comprising: acylindrical counter-weight member that rotates about the axis in anopposite direction than the gravity chamber.
 4. The habitation module ofclaim 3 wherein the cylindrical counter-weight member comprises: acounter-weight; and second support bearings for attaching thecounter-weight to the hull, wherein each of the second support bearingsincludes an outer race attached to the inner surface of the hull, and aninner race attached to the counter-weight.
 5. The habitation module ofclaim 4 further comprising: a second drive mechanism that drives theinner race of at least one of the second support bearings to rotate thecounter-weight in a second direction about the axis that is oppositethan the first direction.
 6. The habitation module of claim 1 wherein: afirst one of the first support bearings includes teeth on the innerrace; the first drive mechanism includes a drive gear having teeth thatmesh with the teeth on the inner race of the first one of the firstsupport bearings; and the first drive mechanism is configured to spinthe drive gear to impart rotational movement to the inner race of thefirst one of the first support bearings.
 7. The habitation module ofclaim 1 wherein: the gravity chamber is hollow between the outercylindrical wall and the side walls; and an inner surface of the outercylindrical wall is lined with a material for an exercise track.
 8. Thehabitation module of claim 1 wherein: the gravity chamber includes aninner cylindrical wall, wherein the side walls extend between the innercylindrical wall and the outer cylindrical wall; and the gravity chamberincludes a plurality of partitions that extend radially from the innercylindrical wall to the outer cylindrical wall to define compartmentswithin the gravity chamber.
 9. The habitation module of claim 8 wherein:at least one of the compartments is for a restroom facility.
 10. Thehabitation module of claim 8 wherein: at least one of the compartmentsis for a sleeping facility.
 11. The habitation module of claim 1wherein: the gravity chamber includes an inner cylindrical wall, whereinthe side walls extend between the inner cylindrical wall and the outercylindrical wall; the gravity chamber includes a divider orthogonal tothe axis that divides the gravity chamber into a first annularsub-chamber and a second annular sub-chamber; the first annularsub-chamber is hollow between the inner cylindrical wall, the outercylindrical wall, and the side walls for an exercise track; and thesecond annular sub-chamber includes a plurality of partitions thatextend radially from the inner cylindrical wall to the outer cylindricalwall between the side walls to define compartments within the secondannular sub-chamber.
 12. The habitation module of claim 1 wherein: theside walls include support members that connect to the outer cylindricalwall and provide rigidity to the side walls; and the support membersinclude spring dampeners.
 13. A habitation module comprising: a hullthat defines an outer diameter of the habitation module; a first gravitychamber that includes a first outer cylindrical wall and first opposingside walls; a second gravity chamber that includes a second outercylindrical wall and second opposing side walls; first support bearingsfor attaching the first gravity chamber to the hull of the habitationmodule, wherein each of the first support bearings includes a firstouter race attached to an inner surface of the hull, and a first innerrace attached to the first gravity chamber; second support bearings forattaching the second gravity chamber to the hull, wherein each of thesecond support bearings includes a second outer race attached to theinner surface of the hull, and a second inner race attached to thesecond gravity chamber; and at least one drive mechanism that rotatesthe first gravity chamber on the first support bearings in a firstdirection about an axis, and rotates the second gravity chamber on thesecond support bearings in a second direction about the axis that isopposite than the first direction.
 14. The habitation module of claim 13wherein: the first gravity chamber is hollow between the first outercylindrical wall and the first side walls; and an inner surface of thefirst outer cylindrical wall is lined with a material for an exercisetrack.
 15. The habitation module of claim 14 wherein: the second gravitychamber includes an inner cylindrical wall, wherein the second sidewalls extend between the inner cylindrical wall and the second outercylindrical wall; and the second gravity chamber includes a plurality ofpartitions that extend radially from the inner cylindrical wall to thesecond outer cylindrical wall to define compartments within the gravitychamber.
 16. An apparatus comprising: a habitation module having a hullthat defines an outer diameter of the habitation module; an annulargravity chamber that includes an outer cylindrical wall, an innercylindrical wall, and opposing side walls that connect the outercylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall; first support bearingsfor attaching the gravity chamber to the hull, wherein each of the firstsupport bearings includes a first outer race attached to an innersurface of the hull, and a first inner race attached to the gravitychamber; a first drive mechanism that drives the first inner race of atleast one of the first support bearings to rotate the gravity chamber ina first direction about an axis to simulate a gravitational force withinthe gravity chamber; a counter-weight; second support bearings forattaching the counter-weight to the hull, wherein each of the secondsupport bearings includes a second outer race attached to the innersurface of the hull, and a second inner race attached to thecounter-weight; and a second drive mechanism that drives the secondinner race of at least one of the second support bearings to rotate thecounter-weight in a second direction about the axis that is oppositethan the first direction.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: a firstone of the first support bearings includes teeth on the first innerrace; the first drive mechanism includes a drive gear having teeth thatmesh with the teeth on the first inner race of the first one of thefirst support bearings; and the first drive mechanism is configured tospin the drive gear to impart rotational movement to the first innerrace of the first one of the first support bearings.
 18. The apparatusof claim 16 wherein: the gravity chamber is hollow between the innercylindrical wall, the outer cylindrical wall, and the side walls; and aninner surface of the outer cylindrical wall is lined with a material foran exercise track.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the gravitychamber includes a plurality of partitions that extend radially from theinner cylindrical wall to the outer cylindrical wall to definecompartments within the gravity chamber.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16wherein: the side walls include support members that extend from theinner cylindrical wall to the outer cylindrical wall; and the supportmembers include spring dampeners.
 21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein:the second drive mechanism adjusts a rotational speed of thecounter-weight to compensate for a change in mass of the gravitychamber.
 22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the gravity chamberincludes a divider orthogonal to the axis that divides the gravitychamber into a first annular sub-chamber and a second annularsub-chamber; the first annular sub-chamber is hollow between the innercylindrical wall, the outer cylindrical wall, and the side walls for anexercise track; and the second annular sub-chamber includes a pluralityof partitions that extend radially from the inner cylindrical wall tothe outer cylindrical wall between the side walls to define compartmentswithin the second annular sub-chamber.